Changes

==Learning with Abacus==

==Learning with Abacus==

It would be interesting to discuss [[Activities/Abacus/Worksheet |various lesson plans]] for using an abacus here. Also, it would be interesting to explore the use of color. What if, for example, the more recent a bead is moved, the more colorful it is? (implemented in v5). This would perhaps make it more clear what the order of operations is on a calculation. Also, what it we extend the idea of the schety to include more fractional components, e.g., 3rd, 5ths, 6ths, etc. and perhaps have a mode where we can automate the consolidation of the fractional parts (implemented in v6).

[Activities/Abacus/Worksheet |Various lesson plans]] for using an abacus here.

Might be good to have some of the above information in Help, eg addition, subtraction, multiplication division. Just the text, no graphics?

It is possible to create your own abacus. I often use the example of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_mathematics#Sumerian_mathematics_.283000_.E2.80.94_2300_BC.29 Sumerian mathematics]: the Sumerians counted on the digital bones (phalanges) of their fingers, so the base of their counting system was 12. All of the 12s (and 60s) we have in our mathemateics, e.g., 12 hours, 60 seconds, etc. have their roots in Sumerian math. But the Sumerians never invented an abacus. What would a Sumerian abacus look like?

==Extending Abacus==

==Extending Abacus==